Interchange Delay Averted

WEST PALM BEACH -- A threatened delay in Interstate 595 construction was avoided Thursday when regional water managers agreed to a compromise permit for the interchange at State Road 7.

The South Florida Water Management District governing board overruled its staff recommendation that would have held up construction until the state Department of Transportation finalized the purchase of more than 200 acres of wetlands.

The purchase and preservation of the swampy wetlands is being required by the district and the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation as mitigation of wetlands to be destroyed in the construction of the interchange.

Chuck Allen of DOT said such a delay could jeopardize federal funding for the project.

On the recommendation of board member Stanley Hole, the district gave DOT six months to complete the purchases. If DOT fails to acquire the land in that time, the permit would become invalid before construction is finished.